the atlantic league of professional baseball clubs, inc. rules and

Transcription

THE ATLANTIC LEAGUE OF
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CLUBS, INC.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
2016 EDITION
Re-codified, amended and adopted by the Atlantic League Playing Rules Committee and ratified
by the Board of Directors, effective January 8, 2016
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©ATLANTICLEAGUEOFPROFESSIONALBASEBALLCLUBS,INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
5
PREAMBLE
RULE 1
CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON & CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
SECTION 3
SECTION 4
SECTION 5
SECTION 6
SECTION 7
SECTION 8
RULE 2
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5
5
6
6
6
7
7
TIED, CALLED AND POSTPONED GAMES
SECTION 1
Completion of Games
SECTION 2
Pre-Game Postponement
SECTION 3
Postponement by Rain
SECTION 4
Light Failure
SECTION 5
Notice of Makeup of Postponed Games
SECTION 6
Dispute in Dates
SECTION 7
Effect in Club Standing of Tied Game
SECTION 8
Rain Checks
SECTION 9
Use of Lights in Scheduled Games
SECTION 10
Suspended Game Rule
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9
9
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10
10
10
11
11
11
DOUBLEHEADERS
SECTION 1
General Rules
SECTION 2
Twilight Doubleheaders
SECTION 3
Day-Night Doubleheaders
SECTION 4
Optional Split Doubleheaders
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11
12
12
RULE 4
LEAGUE CURFEW
12
RULE 5
FORFEITED GAMES
SECTION 1
Club Standing
SECTION 2
Loss of Admission
SECTION 3
Fines
SECTION 4
Ineligible Players and Clubs
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12
13
13
RULE 6
PROTESTED GAMES
RULE 3
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
SECTION 3
SECTION 4
SECTION 5
Official Rules
Executive Director / Board of Directors
Adoption of Schedule
Open Dates
League Champion
Regular Season & Playoff Format
Home Club Responsibility During Playoffs
Player Limits in Postseason / Eligibility
Executive Director’s Jurisdiction
Procedure
Failure to Follow Procedure
Executive Director’s Decision
Expense
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RULE 7
EXHIBITION GAMES
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RULE 8
UNAUTHORIZED POST SEASON GAMES
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RULE 9
GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR ALL GAMES
SECTION 1
Club Rights and Responsibilities
SECTION 2
Clubhouse Guidelines
SECTION 3
Field of Play
SECTION 4
Rights and Duties of Visiting Clubs
SECTION 5
Night Games
SECTION 6
Order of Practice
SECTION 7
Starting Times
SECTION 8
Ground Rules, Regulations, and Overflow
Crowds
SECTION 9
Official Baseballs
SECTION 10
Alcoholic Beverages in Clubhouses
SECTION 11
Miscellaneous Baseball Rules
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15
15
16
16
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17
17
17
17
PACE OF PLAY
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
Purpose
Pace of Play Rules
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18
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MANAGERS
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
SECTION 3
Duty
Playing Manager
Managerial Misconduct
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20
20
UMPIRES
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
SECTION 3
SECTION 4
SECTION 5
SECTION 6
SECTION 7
SECTION 8
SECTION 9
SECTION 10
Providing Umpires
Rules Meeting
Umpire Reporting - Substitutes
Restrictions, Scouts
Authority For Ejections
Profane and Obscene Language
Conduct on the Bench
Return By Ejected Player or Manager
Reporting Violations
Assault on Umpires
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RULE 10
RULE 11
RULE 12
RULE 13
RULE 14
RULE 15
UNIFORM PLAYER CONTRACT
SECTION 1
Uniform Player Contract
SECTION 2
No Other Contracts
SECTION 3
Contract Signing and Approval
SECTION 4
Compensation
SECTION 5
Salary Guidelines
PROTECTED PLAYERS - TAMPERING
SECTION 1
Protected Players
SECTION 2
Tampering
PLAYER LIMITS AND RESERVE LISTS
SECTION 1
Overall Player Limits
SECTION 2
Definition of Player Lists
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RULE 16
MISCONDUCT
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RULE 17
COLLISION RULES
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RULE 18
RULE 19
SUSPENSIONS
OFFICIAL SCORER AND LEAGUE STATISTICS
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SECTION 1
SECTION 2
SECTION 3
SECTION 4
SECTION 5
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29
29
30
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RULE 20
RULE 21
Appointment and Salary of Scorer
Duty and Record of Scorer
Conduct Toward Official Scorer
Dismissal and Replacement
League Statistics
ADMISSION POLICY
SECTION 1
Prices
SECTION 2
Attendance Calculation
SECTION 3
Passes
SECTION 4
Atlantic League Passes
SECTION 5
Rain Checks
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MISCELLANEOUS RULES
SECTION 1
Reporting Scores
SECTION 2
Player’s Meal Allowance
SECTION 3
Batting Championship Eligibility
SECTION 4
ERA Championship Eligibility
SECTION 5
Public Address
SECTION 6
Pepper Games
SECTION 7
Uniform Information
SECTION 8
Fraternizing by Players
SECTION 9
Public Conduct
SECTION 10
Containers in the Ballpark
SECTION 11
Proper Uniforms
SECTION 12
Appeal of Fines
SECTION 13
Mechanical Devices Prohibited
SECTION 14
Bat Boy / Bat Girl Helmet Rule
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APPENDIX A
Playoff Tiebreaker Procedures
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APPENDIX B
Visiting Clubhouse Man Duties
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APPENDIX C
Protected Player
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APPENDIX D
League Hotel Policies
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A
P
P
2016 ATLANTIC LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS
2016 EDITION
PREAMBLE
These ATLANTIC LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS (“Rules”) have been adopted by the Board
of Directors (“BOD” or “Board”) in order to create and preserve the fairness and similarity of conditions
necessary for keen competition among the Member Clubs. Copies of these Rules shall be distributed to
all Member Clubs and posted on the League Website for reference purposes.
RULE 1
CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
SECTION I: OFFICIAL RULES
The members of the League shall contend annually for the Championship of the League. Championship
games of the League shall be played and scored under the most current Major League Official Baseball
Rules as may be modified or amended by these Rules and Regulations.
The League may adopt playing rules, miscellaneous rules and umpire rules, which may be permanent,
temporary, or experimental, as the Board shall direct.
SECTION 2: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(a) Responsibility for Rules: Responsibility for promulgation, interpretation, and enforcement of these
Rules and Regulations shall be with the Executive Director of the League. In the absence of an
Executive Director, the President or the President’s designee shall serve in place of the Executive
Director. Ultimate authority for approving or modifying Atlantic League Rules and Regulations shall
be the responsibility of the Board of Directors.
(b) Fines: Unless otherwise defined in specific Sections of the Rules, the Executive Director shall have
the authority to issue disciplinary fines of not more than one-thousand dollars ($1,000) to Clubs or
employees who have violated Atlantic League Rules.
SECTION 3: ADOPTION OF SCHEDULE
(a) Official Schedule. The Executive Director shall prepare, or have prepared a written
schedule or schedules for each “Championship Season,” which shall include the
“Regular Season”, “Playoffs”, and League “Championship Series” and submit the
same to the BOD at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting, or as soon
thereafter as practicable. It shall require a majority vote of the directors to adopt a
playing schedule, which shall be designated the “Official Schedule”. The Official
Schedule shall specify the date of each game and of each series of games. Every
game played between Clubs from the commencement o f t h e s e a s o n to the
conclusion of the Championship Season shall be a Championship Game. All of the
games played from the first day until the final day of the regular season and prior to
any playoffs shall be known as “Regular Season Games.” Games played following
the Regular Season and prior to the League Championship Series, including any
playoff or division series games, shall be “Playoff Games.”
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RULE 1 (Continued)
(b) The series to determine division champions shall be known as the “Divisional Playoff
Series” and subsequent games played to determine the League champions shall be be
known as the Atlantic League “Championship Series.” Upon adoption of the Official
Schedule, the Clubs shall notify the Executive Director of the starting time for each
home game.
(c) After the Official Schedule is adopted and prior to the start of the Championship
Season, no date therein shall be changed except by agreement of the two Clubs involved
when approved by the Executive Director, who shall notify all remaining Clubs of such
change. Any game that is played on a date that is changed from the Official Schedule
will count against the originally scheduled date (e.g., a game on the Official Schedule
originally slated for June 1, but moved to August 6, will still count in league and division
standings, tie-breakers, playing statistics, etc., as if the game were played on June 1).
(d) After the Championship Season has commenced, by agreement of the two Clubs
involved, and the approval of the Executive Director, the Official Schedule may be
changed as follows:
(i) A date may be changed to an open date on the same playing grounds. However, if
air travel is a factor for either team the provisions of Section 4, below, shall apply;
(ii) A game may be re-arranged as part of a doubleheader;
(iii) And as hereinafter provided in respect to tied, postponed or called games.
SECTION 4: OPEN DATES
Any open date immediately following any scheduled series shall be considered as part of that series and
shall be used for playing any remaining unplayed game between the Clubs scheduled to play on the
preceding day. There will be an understanding that the game will be made up at the next available
date. If because of air travel, a game cannot be made up on the off day following the series, the game
will be made up if possible in the next series on the same grounds. If no more games are scheduled on
the same grounds, the two Clubs in question along with the Executive Director shall decide on the
makeup location and date of the game. Any game that is postponed, re-played, continued, made up or
concluded on a date that is changed from the Official Schedule date, will count against the originally
scheduled date (e.g., a game on the Official Schedule originally slated for June 1, but postponed,
replayed, continued, made up, or concluded on August 6, will still count in league and division standings,
playing statistics, tie-breakers, etc., as if the game were played on June 1).
SECTION 5: LEAGUE CHAMPION
The Atlantic League Champion shall be the Club that wins the Championship Series. The Club shall gain
possession of the League championship trophy for one year and shall receive a championship pennant.
SECTION 6: REGULAR SEASON & PLAYOFF FORMAT
Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors, each Championship Season will be divided into
two equal halves (in 140-game seasons, each half s h a l l c o n s i s t o f 70 games; a 126-game season
will feature 63-game halves, etc.), and the Member Clubs shall be divided into two (2) Divisions to be
known as the Liberty Division and Freedom Division.
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RULE 1 (Continued)
The winners of the first and second halves in each Division shall play a best-of-five Divisional Playoff
Series. The first team to three (3) wins in each Divisional Playoff Series will advance to the best-offive Atlantic League Championship Series, with the first team to win three (3) games being declared
Atlantic League Champion.
The playoff format for all series will be t w o ( 2) games at one Club’s park, followed by three (3) games
at the opposing Club’s park. First half winners of each Division will be given the right to choose
whether they will host games 1 & 2 of the Divisional Playoff Series, or games 3, 4 & 5. The Championship
Series will start in the home of the Liberty Division Champion in odd numbered years (games 1 & 2) and
start in the home of the Freedom Division Champion in even numbered years.
The maximum number of days the Playoffs can last is fifteen (15) following the conclusion of the Regular
Season. The team leading the series at that time will be the winner. Should conditions require or justify
deviation from the provisions set forth above (requirements for air travel, for example), such matters
must be agreed upon by the Clubs concerned and approved by the League Executive Director.
Playoff tiebreaker procedures are set forth in APPENDIX A.
SECTION 7: HOME CLUB RESPONSIBILITY DURING PLAYOFFS
(a) The Home Club shall be responsible for all costs of the playoffs to the Atlantic League,
including, but not limited to housing for the umpires (if umpire lodging is required),
official scorer’s expense, but excluding travel and related costs of the Atlantic League
Executive Director. There will be no surcharge on playoff tickets. The Home Club shall
retain all ticket revenue. The Home Club shall bear all expenses of the grounds, ticket
sale and other expenses incidental to the game.
(b) A tie game or a game postponed because of rain or other legal cause, or called before
it becomes a regulation game, in either the semi-final or final playoff series, shall,
unless the schedule provides to the contrary, be played off upon the same grounds for
which it was scheduled before the succeeding subsequent games shall be played, and
the dates assigned for the subsequent games shall be moved forward accordingly.
(c) The decision as to whether the games will be postponed due to weather conditions will
be decided by the Executive Director of the League and the umpires in cooperation
with the Home Club.
(d) The Home Club is responsible for the lodging cost (18 rooms per night) of the Visiting
Club. The Home Club will not be responsible for the cost of travel by bus of the Visiting
Club.
(e) The playing statistics of the players participating in the Divisional Playoff Series shall
not be included in the Official Playing Averages for the R e g u l a r Season, but shall be
kept in regular form as Playoff Statistics.
SECTION 8: PLAYER LIMITS IN POSTSEASON / ELIGIBILITY
(a) General. The following rules have been adopted in order to promote fairness,
transparency, and keen competition during the final weeks of each Regular Season
and during postseason play. NOTE: Players who have been on the Active Roster of of
a Club during the Regular Season are eligible to return for the postseason, subject to
certain limitations as listed below, and a playoff Club may add not more than two (2)
new players (who were not on the Club’s Active Roster) after noon (Eastern) on
September 1.
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RULE 1 (Continued)
(b) Postseason Roster. A player, to be eligible for the playoffs, must be on the Club’s “Postseason
Roster”, which must be submitted to the League Office by fax or email no later than noon
(Eastern) of Monday of the final week of the Regular Season. The following rules determine
which players are eligible to be included on a Club’s Postseason Roster:
(i) Subject to the limitations described below, Clubs may include on their Postseason
Roster all Players who are currently on the Club’s Active List, Disabled List, and
Inactive List;
(ii) Clubs may also include on their Postseason Roster any player whose contract was
sold to a Major League, foreign, or other independent league club during the current
Regular Season, provided that the player is otherwise eligible to play in/return to the
Atlantic League (see Rule 18 (c), (d) and (e) for eligibility of players leaving the
Atlantic League for Foreign Leagues to return to the Atlantic League);
(iii) Players who are on the Ineligible List, Restricted List, Retired List, or Suspended List are
not eligible for the Postseason Roster;
(iv) Each Club may add a maximum of two (2) new players from Major League, foreign
league, or other independent league clubs after noon (Eastern) of September 1;
(v) No player trades among Atlantic League Clubs shall be permitted after noon
(Eastern) of September 1;
(vi) In the event that a Club loses a player after two (2) weeks prior to the start of the
playoffs to a Major League Organization, a foreign league, or injury, the Club may
request permission to replace such player with a player of like position and equal
ability from the Atlantic League or other available talent. Such a request shall be
made to the Executive Director in writing setting forth the circumstances involved,
and providing a copy of the request to all other Clubs that may be eligible for
postseason play. The Executive Director shall promptly decide whether to approve
or disapprove the request after taking into account the circumstances and any
objections or comments of other Clubs.
(c) Active Playoff List.
(i) Not later than noon (Eastern) of the day prior to the start of the Divisional Playoff
Series, each Club competing shall notify the League Office and the opposing Club
by fax or email of its “Active Playoff List” of players eligible to participate in the
Divisional Playoff Series. The Active Player List shall consist of not more than 25
Players selected by the Club from its Postseason Roster;
(ii) Players injured during the Divisional Playoff Series may be replaced during said
series with the permission of the Executive Director by another player of like
position and equal ability from the Club’s Postseason Roster. The player replaced
will not be eligible to return for the remainder of the Divisional Playoff Series but
may be included in the Club’s Active Playoff List for the Championship Series. Such
permission by the Executive Director shall not be unreasonably withheld, but may be
denied if the Executive Director believes that the requesting Club is not acting in a
fair and sportsmanlike manner.
(iii) Not later than noon (Eastern) of the day prior to the start of the Championship
Series, each Club competing shall notify the League Office and the opposing Club
by fax or email of its revised “Active Playoff List” of players eligible to participate
in the Championship Series. The Active Player List shall consist of not more than
twenty-five (25) players selected by the Club from its Postseason Roster.
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RULE 2
TIED, CALLED AND POSTPONED GAMES
SECTION I: COMPLETION OF GAMES
A tie game, or a game postponed for legal cause or called before it becomes a regulation game, in
accordance with the Official Playing Rules, shall be replayed as soon as possible. If there is no open
date, any unplayed game shall be played as the Home and Visiting Clubs may determine, but shall
be played as soon after its postponement as possible. Any such game remaining un-played after all
the series between the two Clubs on the Home Club’s grounds have ended, the game shall be played if
possible, at the Visiting Club’s ground on the first possible date within the closing series between the
two Clubs concerned. A regulation game within the meaning of this paragraph must comply with the
Official Playing Rules, and rain checks must be honored if the game is not a regulation game. If a game
cannot be made up at either Home or Visiting site, the game is canceled.
SECTION 2: PRE-GAME POSTPONEMENT
No game shall be called off or postponed more than six (6) hours prior to the scheduled starting time,
without approval of the Executive Director.
SECTION 3: POSTPONEMENT BY RAIN
(a) During the last home series between two Clubs, no game shall be canceled or postponed
by the Home Club without express approval of the Umpire-in-Chief following his
inspection of the playing field. Every effort shall be made by the Home Club to play a
scheduled game during this period even though a delay in the starting time may be
necessary. Nothing in this rule shall be construed as giving the Umpire-in Chief the
right to cancel or postpone a scheduled game prior to the actual start of play of such
game.
(b) In case of rain after a game has been started, the umpire shall be the sole judge of
whether play should be stopped. If play is suspended there shall be a wait of at least
thirty (30) minutes, regardless of field conditions before the umpires consider
postponing the game. If, at the end of the thirty (30) minutes, the rain has ceased or is
letting up, and in the opinion of the umpires there is a chance of continuing, it is
advisable and as part of good showmanship that the umpires appear on the field in
uniform, take a survey of the playing conditions and then announce their decision. In
any event, every effort should be made to complete the game in its entirety.
(c) The Atlantic League shall use the optional “suspended game” Rule 4 of the Official
Baseball Rules for all regular season games. Thus Rule 4.10 (c), (d) and (e) are not
applicable.
SECTION 4: LIGHT FAILURE
(a) If the lights go out during a game for any cause or defect, whether under control or
not, and the lights cannot be put back into operation after a delay of thirty (30) minutes
from the time play was suspended, the umpire may suspend play for an additional
reasonable period, but not over sixty (60) minutes more. In any event, every effort
should be made to complete the game. In the event the game must be rescheduled,
the game shall be rescheduled and treated in the same manner as a postponement,
except that play shall be resumed at the same point and under the same conditions
that existed at the time of the light failure. However, if the game cannot be rescheduled
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RULE 2 (Continued)
on the Home Club field, it must be transferred to the Visiting Club’s field in order to
complete the schedule. If four and one-half innings have been played, rain checks shall
not be honored.
(b) In the event of a temporary failure of lights while a ball is in flight or a play in progress,
the umpire will immediately call “time.” When the lights are turned on again and play is
resumed, the batsman and all runners shall return to the last base touched by them at
the time of suspension. In the event that the batsman is compelled to return to the
batter’s box, he shall assume the count of balls and strikes against him, if any, at the
time of suspension of game.
(c) The Home Club shall make every effort to restore the lights and the responsibility for
ascertaining the facts rests wholly upon the umpires. The umpires shall see that a
proper announcement is made to the patrons attending the game giving reasons for their
decision.
SECTION 5: NOTICE OF MAKEUP OF POSTPONED GAMES
Within twenty-four (24) hours following such postponed, tied or called game, the Home Club shall
notify the Manager and General Manager of the Visiting Club, and the umpires officiating the series, of
the date fixed for the makeup date, in accordance with the following:
(a) If the game is to be played during the same series or on an off day immediately following
the series, the Visiting Club must be notified at the time of postponement. If air travel
is involved for the Visiting Club, the provisions of Rule 1 Section 4 shall apply;
(b) If the game is not to be made up within the same series and the Home Club does not
notify the Visiting Club of the time and date of the makeup within seven (7) days of the
postponement, the Visiting Club may request the Executive Director to fix the makeup
date and notify the two Clubs;
(c) If the date selected by the Home Club for a makeup causes the Visiting Club to incur
added expense for travel, meal money or lodging, then the Home Club shall reimburse
the Visiting Club for all reasonable costs;
(d) If the date selected by the Home Club for a makeup causes the Visiting Club to play
an unreasonably long period without an off day, the Visiting Club may appeal to the
Executive Director to determine a fair alternative date as described in Section 6;
(e) Official notification by email must be sent to the League office and the Visiting Club in
all cases of postponed, called or tied games.
SECTION 6: DISPUTE IN DATES
Any dispute between Clubs concerning dates for a playoff, or postponed, tied, or called games shall be
decided by the Executive Director of the League in his sole judgment, and shall be final and nonappealable. The Executive Director is empowered to order any postponed games played at any date
that he sees fit and necessary, within reason. Any Club refusing to comply with his instructions shall
forfeit said game (or games) to the opposing Club by the score of 9-0.
SECTION 7: EFFECT IN CLUB STANDING OF TIED GAME
A tied game shall not count in determining a Club’s championship standing; but if, before the completion
of the fifth inning the side at bat last shall equal the score made by the opposing Club in five complete
innings, (or in any innings after the fifth inning) the individual team averages shall be incorporated into
the official playing records of the League.
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RULE 2 (Continued)
SECTION 8: RAIN CHECKS
Each admission ticket to Championship G ames of the League shall have attached thereto a rain
check. Rain checks will be provided according to the Home Club’s policies.
SECTION 9: USE OF LIGHTS IN SCHEDULED GAMES
The Executive Director is empowered to require all scheduled games to be finished under lights. The
lights should be turned on, when deemed necessary, at the beginning of an inning, with the Home
Club General Manager acting as sole judge as to when the lights shall be turned on with the
understanding that the safety of the players is of paramount importance.
SECTION 10: SUSPENDED GAME RULE
Should a game become a suspended game for any reason, it shall be completed beginning at the point
of the suspension on the date of and preceding the next scheduled single game between the same teams
in the same park. Where possible the lineups and batting orders of both teams shall be the same as the
lineups and batting orders in use at the time the game was called, except that a player who had been
removed from the suspended game for a substitute or a substitute player who did not continue in the ball
game cannot appear in the lineup at the time of the completion of the suspended game.
RULE 3
DOUBLEHEADERS
SECTION 1: GENERAL RULES
(a) Each game of a doubleheader shall be seven (7) innings;
(b) There shall be a minimum twenty (20) minute and maximum thirty-five (35) minute
intermission between games of a doubleheader.
(c) The authority for the starting of the second game of the doubleheader shall be in the
hands of the Umpire-in-Chief for such game, and the umpire shall start the second
game of a doubleheader, if possible, and require play to continue as long as possible.
(d) Once a doubleheader has been scheduled it shall remain a doubleheader and every
effort will be made to play both games.
SECTION 2: TWILIGHT DOUBLEHEADERS
Atlantic League Clubs may play twilight doubleheaders provided at least t w e n t y - f o u r ( 24) h o u r
notice is given the Visiting Club and the League office. The Home Club will be permitted to set the time
for starting such doubleheaders, providing it is not later than 7:00 PM. Lights may be turned on at the
beginning of any inning deemed advisable by the umpire and the game finished under the lights; provided
further that the home team General Manager shall be the sole judge when the lights shall be turned on.
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RULE 3 (Continued)
SECTION 3: DAY-NIGHT DOUBLEHEADERS
Separate admission, day-night doubleheaders may be scheduled by the Home Club, provided they
receive written permission of the League Executive Director, and give at least 24 hours notice to the
Visiting Club. The Home Club will be responsible for providing a between games meal for both the
Home and Visiting Clubs. Each game of a day-night doubleheader is nine (9) innings, other than as
provided in Section 4, below.
SECTION 4: OPTIONAL SPLIT DOUBLEHEADERS
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3, above, each Atlantic League team shall have the option to
play up to two (2) scheduled Split Doubleheaders where the first game is seven, not nine innings. In
order to exercise such an option, the Club must obtain the permission of the Executive Director and
notify the opposing Club not later than 24 hours prior to the start of the first game. The Executive Director
will not withhold permission unreasonably.
RULE 4
LEAGUE CURFEW
No inning of a League Championship S e a s o n game may start after 12:50 AM local time, nor shall
any game start after 11:50 P M local time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no League curfew shall apply
to the last respective home game between two Clubs, nor to any games that the Home Club would be
unable to reschedule. The Executive Director is empowered to waive the curfew rule whenever he deems
it to be necessary.
RULE 5
FORFEITED GAMES
SECTION 1: CLUB STANDING
If a game shall be declared forfeited in accordance with the Official Baseball Rules or these League
Rules, such game shall count in determining the championship of the League as a loss by the forfeiting
Club and as a win by the opposing Club, by the score of 9-0. The box score up to the point of forfeit shall
be included in the League records and playing statistics except that if a Club in the lead is the forfeiting
Club, the pitcher of that Club shall be charged with a loss and the pitcher on the other Club declared the
winner.
SECTION 2: LOSS OF ADMISSION
(a) If a game is forfeited to the Home Club, and if such game forfeiture shall cause any
loss or refund of admission receipts, the Visiting Club shall reimburse the Home Club
the amount of such loss or refund, if ascertainable, and if not ascertainable then the
sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) for games Monday through Thursday, and the
sum of four thousand dollars ($4,000) for Opening Day, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and
holiday games shall be paid to the Home Club as liquidated damages. If for reasons
outside the control of the Visiting Club (i.e. air travel issues, natural disaster etc.) a
scheduled game must be postponed, the Executive Director shall at his discretion
determine fault or further action if necessary.
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RULE 5 (Continued)
(b) Before the payment of the sum specified in part (a) of this Section, an appeal may be
made to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3: FINES
The manager of the forfeiting Club shall also be fined five hundred dollars ($500) if the forfeit be
declared under Rule 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, or 4.18 of the Official Playing Rules, or if the umpire, preceding
the forfeiture, shall have notified the manager that the game will be forfeited under said Rules and the
manager shall fail within one (1) minute, to stop the dilatory tactics, or the rules violation, or remove the
player, or if the forfeiture is caused by withdrawal of the players during the progress of the game.
A player whose act or omission is the cause of a game forfeiture under Official Playing Rule 4.15, (b),
(c), (d) and (e) may be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200) and suspended as the Executive
Director may decide.
SECTION 4: INELIGIBLE PLAYERS AND CLUBS
No game of baseball shall be played between a League Club and any other Club that has been
expelled from membership in this League. No game of baseball shall be played between a League Club
and any other Club employing or presenting in its lineup a player under suspension from the League. A
Violator of this section shall forfeit the game in favor of the non-offending Club, and be subject to such
fine or other disciplinary action as the Board of Directors, may impose.
RULE 6
PROTESTED GAMES
SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S JURISDICTION
In general, the Executive Director shall adjudge all protested or disputed games, and his decision shall be
final and non-appealable.
SECTION 2: PROCEDURE
The Executive Director shall make his decision on protested games as soon as possible. The Executive
Director may not entertain a protested game unless the protesting manager announces his intention of
protesting that game to the Umpire-in-Chief at the time of the action on the field. Within 24 hours from
the time of the protest on the field, the Club protesting must email the League office with a copy to the
opposing Club, a description of the details of said protest. A non-refundable check in the amount of
twenty-five dollars ($25) must arrive in the League office within 72 hours from the time of the protest on
the field or the protest will be deemed withdrawn.
SECTION 3: FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURE
If the protesting Club fails to complete the game as directed by the umpire, or email said statement
and evidence, as provided above, the protest shall be null and void, and shall not be considered by the
Executive Director.
13
RULE 6 (Continued)
SECTION 4: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DECISION
The decision of the Executive Director may require that the protested game be replayed on a date fixed
by his decision, play beginning with the same players if possible as at the time of the protest, as to
number of innings to be played, number of outs, players on base, balls and strikes called, etc., or may
make such other disposition of the protest as the facts, in the opinion of the Executive Director may
warrant.
SECTION 5: EXPENSE
Expenses incurred in resolving any dispute, shall be paid by the Club adjudged to be at fault by the
Executive Director.
RULE 7
EXHIBITION GAMES
Every game played between members of the League from the commencement to the completion of the
Championship Season shall be considered Championship Games. Exhibition Games may be played
with teams not members of the League, provided that no interference will result therefrom with any
scheduled Championship Game of the League or playoff of any tied, postponed, or called Game, unless
otherwise agreed upon by the Executive Director.
RULE 8
UNAUTHORIZED POST SEASON GAMES
No member of this League shall be permitted to play any post-season series with any other Club or
league, except with the authority of the Executive Director of the Atlantic League, or otherwise approved
by the Board of Directors. If any post-season series are played under the auspices of the League, the
Executive Director shall be empowered to make all arrangements for the series and the distribution of
receipts, except that ten percent (10%) of the gross receipts shall be paid into the League treasury,
except as hereinafter provided for. Out of this amount shall be met all expenses of the conduct of the
series such as umpires salaries and expenses, Executive Director’s expenses, the League’s pro rata
share of the expenses and all such expenses are not usually borne by the local Club.
RULE 9
GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR ALL GAMES
SECTION 1: CLUB RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Each member Club shall have general supervision and control of the conduct of all
business affairs in connection with games played on its grounds. The Visiting Club shall
be allowed such representations and facilities as may reasonably be required to protect
the interests and rights of the Club and its players, but in all details which do not involve
such interests and rights, and that relate solely to such games as attractive exhibitions
to the portions of the Home Club, the Visiting Club shall defer to the wishes of the
Home Club.
14
RULE 9 (Continued)
(b) The Home Club shall be responsible for the following costs associated with the play
of Championship Season games:
(i) 18 hotel rooms for the Visiting Club. Lodging should be available from the start of the
series through the conclusion of the series. The League hotel policies are set forth
in APPENDIX D.
(ii) In the event that the Home Club starts the first game of a series before noon (local
time), the Home Club shall be responsible for notifying the Visiting Club General
Manager and will be responsible for additional costs, including hotel rooms, if any.
(iii)
Hotel accommodations for the umpire crew working the series from the start of
the series through the conclusion of the series (if umpire lodging is required).
(iv)
Home Club is responsible for furnishing three (3) cases of champagne and three
(3) case of beer to the visiting team should said team clinch a playoff berth, or playoff
series at the Home Club’s grounds.
(v) The Home Club is not responsible for travel by bus for the Visiting Club.
SECTION 2: CLUBHOUSE GUIDELINES
The Home Club shall provide, equip, and maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, suitable dressing,
toilet and bathing conveniences for the Visiting Club's players, in accordance with the Atlantic League
Facility Standards. The Executive Director shall inspect each Visiting Clubhouse for compliance and
investigate any reported complaints. The Executive Director is authorized to levy such fines as he deems
appropriate, not exceeding $500 for each violation.
(a) Home Club shall furnish the visiting team with no fewer than thirty (30) full sized bath
towels each day. Failure to return the towels to the Home Club will result in the Visiting
Club being billed for the towels;
(b) Home Club shall provide showerheads, toilets, and lockers or comparable dressing
areas for the visiting team to conform to the Atlantic League Facilities Standards;
(c) Home Club shall be responsible for laundering the Visiting Club's uniforms
(arrangements may be made with the Visiting Club’s hotel). The Home Club is
responsible for any damage to the uniforms and laundry;
(d) Home Club must have uniformed security professionals and/or protection available for
umpires and visiting team upon need;
(e) Home Club shall provide at its park suitable dressing room for the umpires, with
conveniences in keeping with those provided the Home and Visiting players and in
conformance with the Atlantic League Facilities Standards;
(f) Home Club shall provide a Clubhouse Man for the Visiting Club. Clubhouse Man Duties
are described in APPENDIX B.
SECTION 3: FIELD OF PLAY
(a) All foul lines shall be chalked from the home plate to the foul line on the fence where
a flag or other distinct marker must be attached. Any Club failing to have its grounds
so arranged shall forfeit all games to the opposing Clubs until such an arrangement is
made.
15
RULE 9 (Continued)
(b) Each Club shall file with the Executive Director the exact dimensions of its playing
field, showing the distance in feet from screen to home plate, home plate down the
right field foul line to the bottom of the right field fence, from home plate down the left
field foul line to the bottom of the left field fence, from home plate to the bottom of the
left center field fence and from home plate to the bottom of the right center field fence.
Proper signs shall be posted on the fence, showing the distance from home plate to
the bottom of the fence in the manner herein stated.
(c) Each park in the League shall comply with Atlantic League Facilities Standards
adopted by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4: RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF VISITING CLUBS
The Visiting Club shall give the umpire and the Home Club’s manager its batting order before the
commencement of each game, and likewise the Home Club shall give its batting order to the Visiting
Club’s manager and the umpire before the commencement of each game. It shall be the duty of the
H o m e a n d Visiting Club to provide their batting orders and rosters of players at least ninety
(90) minutes before game time, so the Home Club, including the Public Relations Director and
Scorekeeper, may be properly informed and in order to provide the in-game experience to which
fans are entitled. Batting order forms for this purpose shall be provided to each Club by the League
office. As a courtesy, each lineup card presented to the umpire-in-chief should list the fielding positions
to be played by each player in the batting order. If a designated hitter is to be used, the lineup card
shall designate which hitter is to be the designated hitter. As a courtesy, potential substitute players
should also be listed, but the failure to list a potential substitute player shall not make such potential
substitute player ineligible to enter the game.
SECTION 5: NIGHT GAMES
The decision as to whether a regularly scheduled game of the Regular Season shall be played in
the afternoon or at night rests entirely with the Home Club. However, should a Club elect to change from
day to night, or vice versa such Club is required to obtain the permission of the Executive Director of the
League, and notify the Visiting Club at least five (5) days in advance of the change.
SECTION 6: ORDER OF PRACTICE
Depending upon weather and at the discretion of the Home GM/Groundskeeper, the Visiting Club shall
be allowed up to one hour and fifteen (1:15) minutes for batting and infield practice after the Home Club
has finished its batting and infield practice, after which the groundskeeper shall have not less than
thirty (30) minutes to put the field in shape to play. The Home Club is allowed to vary these regulations
but the time must be the same for both teams.
SECTION 7: STARTING TIMES
Each Club shall file with the Executive Director the time set for commencement of scheduled games on
its grounds and for the first game of a doubleheader on any such days. The Home Club shall not
change such time of commencement of any scheduled games by more than thirty (30) minutes without
the permission of the League Executive Director and five (5) days notice to the Visiting Club. All speechmaking or ceremony of any kind shall be completed before the time of the start of the regularly scheduled
game and may be scheduled between games of a doubleheader provided such speech-making or
ceremony does not interfere with the starting time of the second games of the doubleheader.
16
RULE 9 (Continued)
Under no circumstances shall a game be halted for the purpose of making presentations unless the
Visiting Manager and umpires are notified of the planned presentation (including an estimate of
duration) prior to the start of the game.
SECTION 8: GROUND RULES, REGULATIONS, AND OVERFLOW CROWDS
Each Club, prior to the start of the season, shall print its own ground rules and deliver copies of the same
to all the other Clubs in the League and the League Executive Director. Any changes whatsoever in the
ground rules from those printed shall be brought up and discussed for a thorough understanding by
the managers and umpires prior to the start of each game.
Only in cases where spectators are compelled to overflow onto the playing field may the managers
of the opposing teams by agreement, make special ground rules, and then only covering balls batted
or thrown into the crowd. All other ground rules, except as herein provided, or in the Official Playing
Rules, must be made by the Home Club.
SECTION 9: OFFICIAL BASEBALLS
(a) No Championship Game shall be played with any ball other than the official baseball as
adopted by the League, except that, with approval of the Executive Director, a nonLeague approved ball may be used in a temporary emergency situation.
(b) The Home Club shall deliver to the Umpire-in-Chief seventy-two (72) balls prior to the
start of each game, and such additional baseballs as may be required to insure
continuous and uninterrupted operation of the game. The Umpire-in-Chief shall have
sole charge of the baseballs used in the game.
(c) The balls shall be placed in a permanent box, set flush to the ground near the plate in
foul ground or suitable bag adjacent to the home dugout, and no balls shall be thrown
out to the umpire from the players’ bench. Any balls in the possession of the umpires at
the close of the game must be returned to the Home Club.
(d) The Home Club shall provide to the Visiting Club two (2) new baseballs per game for
use in the bullpen.
SECTION 10: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN CLUBHOUSES
Alcoholic Beverages in the home and visiting Clubhouse areas shall not be provided by Clubs, except in the
case of Rule 9, Section 1(b)(iv). It is the responsibility of the Home Team to see that this policy is enforced.
SECTION 11: MISCELLANEOUS BASEBALL RULES
(a) No player shall be permitted to dry the ball in any manner except by removing his glove
and using his bare hands, except that in wet weather the ball may be dried by a tow
sack or towel on the Home Club’s bench under the supervision of the umpire.
(b) No player shall be permitted to use resin in drying the ball nor shall he have in his
possession a bag or resin or foreign substance for such purpose. Prior to the game,
however, the Home Club shall place a bag of resin just back of the pitcher’s box and
the pitcher may dry his hands by use of the same.
(c) No pitcher shall deliver to the batter a disfigured ball.
17
RULE 9 (Continued)
(d) The Designated Hitter rule shall be in effect for all Championship Games; provided,
however, that a Home Club may suspend the Designated Hitter rule for a game or
series for promotional purposes with the prior approval of the Visiting Club and the
Executive Director.
(e) Any player of manager who is found by the Executive Director of stalling or turning any
into a farce shall be subject to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100).
RULE 10
PACE OF PLAY
SECTION 1: PURPOSE
The Atlantic League is committed to enhancing fan experience at League Games by accelerating the
pace of Championship Games. Details of the actions by the League to address these issues are
summarized as follows:
(a) All Atlantic League personnel including managers, coaches, players, and front office are to be
vigilant in addressing th e p a c e o f Championship Games. The Executive Director is authorized to
monitor compliance and to take such actions as he deems necessary to improve Atlantic League
games;
(b) The Atlantic League will enforce all existing Major League Official Rules, including:
(i) Rule 2 – Definition of Strike Zone
(ii) Rule 6.02 – Hitters stepping out of batter’s box
(iii) Rule 8.03 – Pitchers delivering pitches
(iv) Delays caused by customized hitter music
SECTION 2: PACE OF PLAY RULES
The following rule adjustments became effective as of April 9, 2015. They are subject to review by the
Board of Directors:
(a) Time between innings. The time between innings shall be limited to no more than two minutes,
five seconds (2:05). Timing shall commence when the last out is recorded in a half inning and
ends when the pitcher starts his windup or delivery of the first pitch to the plate in the subsequent
half inning.
(i) The 3rd base umpire shall keep time and shall remind the plate umpire with 20 seconds
remaining in the period between innings so the plate umpire can ensure teams move at an
appropriate pace to begin play;
(ii) In the umpire crew’s sole discretion, the period between innings may be lengthened to
contend with issues such as injury, weather, pitching change, etc.;
(iii) Clubs agree that between-innings promotions shall last less than 90 seconds;
(iv) Squads are free to begin innings in less than 2:05 if both teams are prepared to start play
(b) Warm up pitches. Pitchers shall be allowed the number of warm up pitches they need as long as
they are prepared to start the inning within two minutes, five seconds (2:05); eight (8) warm up
pitches are suggested (as provided for in Rule 8.03)
18
RULE 10 (Continued)
(c) Count down clocks. Clubs may test countdown clocks to time a) the twelve (12)
seconds between pitches with no one on base rule and the b) 2 minute, 5 second
(2:05) limit between innings.
(i) The clock operator shall be the official timekeeper;
(ii) Clocks must be large enough to be easily read and located within convenient view of onfield personnel. Two clocks are suggested (one outfield, one behind home plate);
(iii) Other countdown options may be added in the future to reflect other POP trials or rules;
(iv) In the umpire crew’s sole discretion, the clock may be turned off for either a short period or
the remainder of the game to contend with issues such as injury, weather, clock
malfunction, etc.;
(v) The 12 second period starts once the pitcher receives the ball and ends when he begins
his windup or delivery.
(d) Cessation of walk up music. Clubs shall cease “walk up music” when hitters reach the home
plate circle.
(e) Pitching change signal. The manager or coach shall signal the plate umpire for a pitching
change immediately upon leaving the dugout when making the second trip to confer with the same
pitcher in the same inning.
(i) Notes: a) the manager or coach shall physically signal either righty or lefty by raising his
right or left hand. If there is any question regarding which player the manager or coach is
requesting, he shall verbally inform the plate umpire of the name of the pitcher entering the
game. The plate umpire shall then communicate the change to the appropriate base
umpire who shall convey the change to the bullpen.
(f) Time out limit of thirty (30) seconds. On-field time-outs or conferences shall be limited to no
more than 30 seconds, except in the case of injury.
(i) A conference begins when a manager, coach or player reaches the dirt portion of the
mound OR initiates a conversation which creates delay and shall conclude when all
conferees other than the pitcher step off the pitching mound dirt OR cease conversation
and begin to return to their normal in-game position.
(g) General guidelines:
(i) Umpires shall exercise good judgment and common sense when arbitrating Atlantic
League games, especially with regard to any pace of play initiatives;
(ii) Clubs and managers shall be reminded, warned, then disciplined by the League office if
they repeatedly violate pace of play initiatives
(iii) The Atlantic League shall adopt MLB and MiLB pace of play rules if/when they are
announced/implemented.
(h) Three (3) time-out limit. The defensive team, including any manager, coach or player, shall be
limited during a game to a total of three (3) "time-outs" in which mound visits or on-the-field
conferences are conducted with a pitcher or position player.
(i) A mound visit which results in a pitching change at the time of the visit shall not count as
one of the three (3) permitted "time-outs;”
(ii) In the case of an extra-inning game, one additional "time-out" shall be permitted at the start
of the 10th inning and every three (3) innings thereafter (the 13th, 16th etc.);
(iii) Each "time-out" shall be limited to thirty (30) seconds as described above;
(iv) The umpire-in-chief is responsible for enforcing the thirty (30) second limit on "time-outs." If
the defensive team disregards the umpire's reasonable warning and continues to delay the
game, the umpire shall declare a "Ball" for the batter at the plate.
19
RULE 10 (Continued)
(i) Umpire enforcement of Rules 6.02 and 8.04. The Atlantic League Office shall direct umpires to
be diligent applying and enforcing Rule 6.02 (restricting batters "stepping out" of the box) and Rule
8.04 (requiring the pitcher to deliver the ball within 12 seconds when the bases are unoccupied).
(i) Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.”
(j) Umpire enforcement of strike zone. The Atlantic League Office shall direct umpires to adhere
to the strike zone as defined in Rule 2.00 and to observe that definition when calling pitches
“Balls” or “Strikes.”
(k) Intentional Base on balls. When a manager or catcher of the defensive team indicates to the
home plate umpire they wish to issue an intentional base on balls, the batter shall be awarded first
base without the need for the pitcher to deliver four balls.
RULE 11
MANAGERS
SECTION 1: DUTY
A non-playing manager shall be permitted on the coaching lines without being counted in the player
limit.
SECTION 2: PLAYING MANAGER
A playing manager may remove himself from the game as a player and return to the coaching lines as a
coach at any time during the game.
SECTION 3: MANAGERIAL MISCONDUCT
The Executive Director shall have the authority to fine and/or discipline all managers, coaches, trainers,
umpires, and any other on-field personnel whose conduct, in his judgment is unprofessional or not in the
best interest of the Atlantic League.
RULE 12
UMPIRES
SECTION 1: PROVIDING UMPIRES
The Executive Director shall be responsible for providing for the services of umpires for all League
playoffs and Championship Games. Prior to the start of each Championship Season, the Board of
Directors shall review and approve the plan for providing umpire services, including costs, umpire
names, plans for travel and/or per diem (if required), and plans for replacement and substitute umpires.
Umpires may be employees of the League or contracted through a professional service.
20
RULE 12 (Continued)
SECTION 2: RULES MEETING
Each year, prior to the opening of the season and at the discretion of the Executive Director, the
Executive Director shall hold a rules interpretation meeting with the League umpires, managers and
appropriate Club personnel. The Executive Director shall prepare copies of the rules interpretations
and special instructions to the participants. There shall be every effort made for the Executive Director
to host a meeting or conference call at the All-Star break to review and refresh the rules with all umpires,
managers and appropriate Club personnel.
SECTION 3: UMPIRE REPORTING – SUBSTITUTES
(a) Umpires shall report for games to which they are assigned at least one (1) hour before
the time set for starting the game, and if prevented or delayed from reporting on time
prior to the commencement of the game shall notify the Home Club General Manager
as soon as possible. The General Manager of Home Club will alert the Executive Director
to reach a resolution.
(b) Each team in the League will assist the Executive Director in locating potential
substitute umpires in their home city. Prior to the season they shall send to the
Executive Director, the names of at least two (2) such umpires with their address and
phone numbers.
SECTION 4: RESTRICTIONS, SCOUTS
No umpire in the Atlantic League shall serve as a scout for any Club in the League or any other league,
regardless of classification or affiliation.
SECTION 5: AUTHORITY FOR EJECTIONS
(a) Any player in uniform, other than the manager, leaving his position to dispute a call
with the umpire may be fined for the first offense, provided that the offender shall have
been first warned. Before an umpire can expel a player from a game for such offense
he must notify the manager that such action will be taken, unless the offense, in the
judgment of the umpire, warrants immediate removal of such offender.
(b) No player shall assault or verbally abuse an umpire from the field or from the bench.
For so doing, the player may be fined not less than twenty-five ($25) dollars for each
offense provided the umpire first warned the player.
(c) The manager may question the decision of an umpire only when such question i s
related to the playing rules and not to the judgment of the umpire on plays. Enforcement
of this rule is mandatory.
(d) Before an umpire can eject a manager from the game, he must first warn him. Upon
disregard of the warning the manager may be ejected from the game. If, in the judgment
of the umpire, the action of the manager warrants immediate removal from the game
the required warning may be waived.
21
RULE 12 (Continued)
SECTION 6: PROFANE AND OBSCENE LANGUAGE
Any player, manager or umpire using profane or obscene language in the ballpark, audible to the
spectators, may be fined, suspended or both by the Executive Director at his sole discretion, and shall
be immediately removed from the playing field and not permitted to participate in any Championship
Season Game, pending the Executive Director’s decision while under suspension.
Any player or manager using profane or obscene language directed at an umpire, before, during, or
after a Championship Game shall be fined and/or removed from the game.
SECTION 7: CONDUCT ON THE BENCH
(a) During a Championship Game, all players must remain on their own bench, except when
properly at bat, in the field, or at practice under the instructions of the manager. Failure
to observe this rule, after warning by the umpire, shall result in a fine o f the offending
player. On continual disregard of the umpire’s warning, the umpire shall, if necessary,
remove the offending player from the playing field.
(b) Any trainer or person employed in a similar capacity, who sits on the bench during
a game, is required to wear neat attire (collared shirt, pants), or a uniform in the team’s
colors. No person not in uniform may sit on the bench.
SECTION 8: RETURN BY EJECTED PLAYER OR MANAGER / REFUSING TO FINISH GAME
In cases where a player or manager is removed by an umpire from the first game of a doubleheader,
the player or manager shall be eligible to return for the second game of a doubleheader, and in the
case of a player or manager removed by an umpire in a morning game, the player or manager shall be
eligible to compete in a n afternoon game played on the same day. The same rule applies where
removal is from an afternoon game; such player or manager may compete in the night game, if both
games are played on the same date.
Should any Club refuse to finish a game once started because of dissatisfaction with any ruling or
rulings of the umpire, or any cause whatsoever, or any Club owner or manager refuses to allow a legally
appointed umpire to officiate in a game, or games, to which he has been assigned by the Executive
Director, or which is scheduled to be played, said Club shall forfeit the game to the opposing team
and in addition shall be subject to such other fines, suspensions and sanctions as may be imposed by
the Executive Director.
SECTION 9: REPORTING VIOLATIONS
All violations of the Rules and expulsions shall be reported immediately following the game to the
Executive Director by the umpire. Upon receipt of such notice, the Executive Director shall assess
a fine or take other action as the facts warrant.
At the commencement of each season, the Executive Director shall send out a form letter to all
players and managers informing them that any Club found to be paying fines imposed upon its players
or manager will be fined five hundred ($500) dollars for each offense and authority is hereby vested in
him to impose such fine. This penalty shall apply for each offense and shall be strictly enforced.
22
RULE 12 (Continued)
SECTION 10: ASSAULT ON UMPIRES
Any player, manager, coach, or owner guilty of assaulting an umpire during the Championship Season
shall be disciplined at the discretion of the Executive Director.
RULE 13
UNIFORM PLAYER CONTRACT
SECTION 1: UNIFORM PLAYER CONTRACT
To preserve morale among players and to produce the similarity of conditions necessary for keen
competition, all contracts between Member Clubs and players on Member Club Reserve Lists shall
be in the form of the Uniform Player Contract that is approved prior to the start of each Season by the
Board of Directors.
SECTION 2: NO OTHER CONTRACTS
No Member Club shall enter into a contract with a player that differs from the Uniform Player Contract.
All contracts shall be in duplicate and the player shall receive a duplicate original. All contracts must
be filed with and approved by the Executive Director in writing before becoming effective.
SECTION 3: CONTRACT SIGNING AND APPROVAL
No player shall participate in any Championship Game until the player has signed a contract in the form
prescribed by this Rule for services during the current season, and such contract has been delivered to
the League Office (which shall be within 24 hours of signing), unless the Club is notified by the Executive
Director that the contract is disapproved.
SECTION 4: COMPENSATION
No Member Club shall provide any compensation or payment to any player unless such compensation
is set forth in the player’s Uniform Player Contract. No Member Club shall provide any indirect
compensation, including, but not limited to housing, automobiles, etc. NOTE: with the approval of the
Executive Director, a Club may provide a reasonable housing allowance and/or use of an automobile to
not more than two (2) players, provided that such compensation is set forth in writing as an addendum
to the Uniform Player Contract.
No Member Club shall directly or indirectly pay to any player, any bonus or remuneration whatsoever
for his services in a post-season series, other than his regular salary. Any Club violating this provision
shall be fined one thousand dollars ($1,000).
23
RULE 13 (Continued)
SECTION 5: SALARY GUIDELINES
To assure parity of competition among League Clubs no player may receive less than six hundred dollars
($600) or more than three thousand dollars ($3,000) per month in total compensation, nor shall a Club
pay more than fifty-five thousand dollars ($55,000) per month (pro-rated for a partial month) for the
total of all Active List players during each month during the Championship Season. Clubs are required
to submit to the Executive Director a schedule of compensation paid to each player under contract
subdivided into Active List, Disabled List, Inactive List, etc. Each such monthly schedule shall be
submitted not later than the 5th day of the following month throughout the Championship Season (and for
any other month that a Club’s player receives compensation from the Club). The Executive Director
retains the right to request and review Club player salaries at any time to ensure cooperation with salary
guidelines.
RULE 14
PROTECTED PLAYERS – TAMPERING
SECTION 1: PROTECTED PLAYERS
To foster fairness among Clubs, meet fan expectations in each City, and in recognition of the
considerable investment made by each Club in affording players the opportunity to play in the Atlantic
League each season, it is the policy of the League to encourage players who desire to return to the
League in the immediately following Championship Season to first negotiate with their former Club for a
reasonable period before exploring employment with other Clubs. The Rules to implement the foregoing
are set forth in APPENDIX C.
SECTION 2: TAMPERING
To preserve competition and prevent the unfair enticement of players, coaches and managers, there
shall be no conversations, negotiations, dealings, or offer/acceptance of terms regarding employment,
either present or prospective, between any player, player representative, coach or manager and any
Atlantic League Club other than the Club with which the player, coach or manager is under contract, or
Reserved/Retirement, Suspended or Protected List status (the “Previous Club”), unless the Previous
Club or League Office with which the person is connected shall have authorized, in writing, such
negotiations or dealings prior to their commencement. Any violation of this policy will subject the involved
Club and/or person to disciplinary action by the Executive Director. Such discipline may include fines of
Club and/or fines, dismissal and expulsion of the offending person and the potential release, suspension
or return of the player, coach or manager to his Previous Club.
RULE 15
PLAYER LIMITS AND RESERVE LISTS
SECTION 1: OVERALL PLAYER LIMITS
Except as hereinafter provided, no Member Club of the League shall have more than forty (40) players
under option, contract or reservation at any time, including active players, suspended players, inactive
players, disabled players and restricted players. Players on the Reserve/Retired List shall not count
toward the 40 player limit.
24
RULE 15 (Continued)
SECTION 2: DEFINITION OF PLAYER LISTS
All players under contract or control of Atlantic League Clubs must appear on one of the following
Player Lists, which shall be filed with the League Office and kept current at all times. The Executive
Director shall continuously maintain and update the Player Lists filed by Clubs. As part of this process,
the Executive Director shall promptly record any transactions or player transfers permitted by these Rules
and shall make them available to all Clubs through computer terminals and/or other means of electronic
communication. Clubs shall immediately notify the League Office, and not later than twenty-four (24)
hours of any changes to their Player Lists. In order for the player to be eligible to play, any changes to
the Active List shall be submitted to the League Office at least ninety (90) minutes prior the start of the
Club’s next game, with a copy to the opposing Club.
(a) Active List.
(i) Filing and Maintenance. Each Club must file and maintain with the Executive Director an Active
List, which must include all players who are currently eligible to play in a Championship Season
Game for the Club for which the Active List was filed. All Active Lists must be filed not later
than noon (Eastern) the day prior to the opening date of the Championship Season. All changes
to a Club’s Active List must be reported to the Executive Director within twenty-four (24) hours.
In order for the player to be eligible to play, any changes to the Active List shall be submitted to
the League Office at least ninety (90) minutes prior the start of the Club’s next game, with a copy
to the opposing Club.
(ii) Numerical Limits. The maximum number of players who may be placed on the Active List of any
Club shall be twenty-five (25); provided however, that a Club may place up to 27 players on its
Active List from Opening Day until midnight (Eastern), May 31 each season. Players on Club’s
Disabled List shall not count toward this limit.
(iii) Trades and Assignments. Member Clubs may assign to another Member Club an existing
player contract, provided however, that such all such assignments shall be first approved
by the Executive Director. No player may appear on the Active Roster of another Club until
twenty-four (24) hours following notification of the League Office of the transfer or trade. In order
for the player to be eligible to play, any changes to the Active List shall be submitted to the
League Office at least ninety (90) minutes prior the start of the Club’s next game, with a copy to
the opposing Club.
(b) Disabled List. Upon written application to the Executive Director, a Club may request that a player
on its Active List who is unable to render services because of a specific injury or ailment, be
placed on the Club’s Disabled List. The application shall be accompanied by a description of the
player’s injury or ailment. Upon approval of the Executive Director, the player shall be removed from
the Club’s Active List and transferred to the Club’s Disabled List. Upon recertification by the Club’s
physician that the player is approved to resume service, the Club shall notify the Executive
Director that the player is being transferred from the Club’s Disabled List to its Active List; provided,
however, that a player placed on the Disabled List cannot be returned to the Active List for a
minimum of seven (7) days.
(c) Disqualified List. A player who violates the Uniform Player Contract or Protected Player Rule
may be reported to the Executive Director for placement on the Suspended List. A player on the
Suspended List shall not be eligible to play for any other Club.
(d) Inactive List. Players that are not active or disabled may be placed on the Club’s Inactive List.
Each Club shall be allowed a maximum of f i v e ( 5) Inactive List players. Players on the Inactive
List do not count against the Club’s Active Roster. There is no minimum of time a player must
remain on the Inactive List before becoming eligible to return to the Active List. Players on the
Inactive List may be paid at the discretion of the Club.
25
RULE 15 (Continued)
(e) Ineligible List. A player or other person found guilty of misconduct or other acts mentioned in Rule
16 (Misconduct), or convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, may be placed on the “Ineligible
List” by the Executive Director. A player on the Ineligible List shall not be eligible to play for any
Member Club.
(f) Restricted List. If, without permission of a Member Club, a player under contract fails to report
to such Club, t h e Club shall report such player to the Executive Director for placement on the
“Restricted List.” A player on the Restricted List shall not be eligible to play for any other Member
Club.
(g) Reserve/Retired List. A player under contract desiring to retire from professional baseball shall
notify the player’s Club. The Club shall place the player on the “Reserve/Retired List” for the
purpose of protecting the Club’s rights to the player’s services in the event the player may desire to
return to the League in the future. Should the player desire to a g a i n play professional baseball
for a Member Club other than the Club from which he p r e v i o u s l y retired (the “Previous Club”),
the player shall first obtain the written consent of the Previous Club.
(h) Suspended List. Any Club may suspend a player under contract for insubordination, other
misconduct or for violation by the player of any regulation or provision of the U n i f o r m P layer
Contract. At its discretion, the Club may also impose a reasonable fine and deduct the amount of
the fine from the player’s salary, or may suspend the player without salary for a period not exceeding
thirty (30) days, or both. Written notice of suspension and of the reason for the fine and/or
suspension shall be delivered to the player with a copy to the Executive Director. During the period
of suspension, the player shall be ineligible to play with any other professional baseball Club
RULE 16
MISCONDUCT
The provisions of Major League Rule 21, as modified below shall apply to the Atlantic League:
(a) Misconduct in Playing Baseball. Any player or person connected with a Club who shall
promise or agree to lose, or attempt to lose, or to fail to give his best efforts towards
the winning of any baseball game with which he is, or may be, in any way concerned,
or who shall intentionally lose or attempt to lose, or intentionally fail to give his best
efforts towards the winning of any such baseball game, or who shall solicit or attempt
to induce any player or person connected with a Club to lose or attempt to lose, or fail
to give his best efforts towards the winning of any baseball game with which such player
or person is or may be concerned, or who, being solicited by any person, shall fail to
inform the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors, immediately of such
solicitation, and of all facts and circumstances connected therewith, shall be declared
permanently ineligible to play in the League.
(b) Gift for Defeating Competing Club. Any player or person connected with a Club who
shall offer or give any gift or reward to a player or person connected with another
Club for services rendered, or to have been rendered, in defeating or attempting to
defeat a competing Club, and any player or person connected with a Club who shall
solicit or accept from a player or person connected with another Club any gift or reward
for such services rendered, or supposed to have been rendered, or who, having been
offered any such gift or reward, shall fail to inform the Executive Director and/or the
Board of Directors immediately of such offer, including all facts and circumstances
connected therewith, shall be declared ineligible to play in the League for not less than
three (3) years.
26
RULE 16 (Continued)
(c) Gifts to Umpires. Any player or person connected with a Club who shall give, or offer
or give, any gift or reward to an umpire for services rendered or supposed to be or to
have been rendered, or to have been rendered, in defeating or attempting to defeat a
competing Club, or for the umpire’s decision on anything connected with the playing of
a baseball game, and any umpire who shall render, or promise to agree to render any
such decision otherwise than on its merits, or who shall solicit or accept such gift or
reward for any such service or decision, or who, having been offered any such gift or
reward, or, having been solicited to render any such decision otherwise on its merits,
shall fail to inform the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors immediately of
such offer or solicitation, i n c l u d i n g all facts and circumstances connected therewith,
shall be declared permanently ineligible to work in the League.
(d) Betting on Ball Games.
(i) Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum
whatsoever upon any A t l a n t i c L e a g u e baseball game in connection with which the
bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible to work in the League for
one (1) year. In order to be considered for reinstatement, the employee must apply
in writing to the League Office for reinstatement.
(ii) Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum
whatsoever upon any A t l a n t i c L e a g u e baseball game in connection with which
the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible to work in
the League.
(e) Violence or Misconduct in Championship Season or Inter-League Games. In case
of any physical attack or other violence among any umpire, player, coach, or manager
during or in connection with any game (whether within the League or an exhibition game
with a Club or team of another league), the Executive Director shall impose upon the
offender or offenders such fine, suspension, ineligibility, or other penalty, as the facts
may warrant in the judgment of the Executive Director.
(f) Throwing balls and Equipment into Stands. N o balls or other equipment shall be
thrown into the stands by players, managers, coaches, umpires, on-field personnel or
League or Club employees so as to risk injury to spectators. The League and Member
Clubs shall not be responsible for injuries or damage caused by violation of this policy
by players, managers and coaches.
(g) Other Misconduct. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as exclusively defining
or otherwise limiting acts, transactions, practices or conduct not to be in the best
interests of the League, and any and all other acts, transactions, practices or conduct
not to be in the best interests of t h e L e a g u e are prohibited and shall be subject to
such penalties, including permanent ineligibility, as the facts in any particular case may
warrant.
(h) Rule to Be Kept Posted. A printed copy in English and Spanish of this Rule shall be
kept posted in each Clubhouse, and by this reference all personnel agree to comply
with this Rule.
27
RULE 17
COLLISION RULES
The Atlantic League hereby adopts the provisions of Major League Baseball Rule 7.13 regarding
collisions at home plate:
a) A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in
order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate). If, in
the judgment of the umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the
catcher (or other player covering home plate) in such a manner, the umpire shall
declare the runner out (even if the player covering home plate loses possession of the
ball). In such circumstances, the umpire shall call the ball dead, and all other base
runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the collision.
(i) Comment: The failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner's
lowering of the shoulder, or the runner's pushing through with his hands, elbows or
arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in
order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation of this Rule. If the runner slides
into the plate in an appropriate manner, he shall not be adjudged to have violated
this Rule. A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of a feet first slide, if the
runner's buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the catcher.
In the case of a head first slide, a runner shall be deemed to have slid appropriately
if his body should hit the ground before contact with the catcher.
b) Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway
of the runner as he is attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the catcher
without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall call
or signal the runner safe.
c) Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this rule if the
catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in order to field a throw, and the umpire
determines that the catcher could not have fielded the ball without blocking the pathway
of the runner and that contact with the runner was unavoidable.
RULE 18
SUSPENSIONS
(a) General. No manager or player who has been suspended or expelled from this League
at any time thereafter shall be allowed to play with or serve in any capacity on any
Club, unless the term of suspension by the Club has expired, or, upon his appeal to the
League, such expulsion shall be set aside.
(b) Doubleheaders. In cases where a player, manager, or coach is removed by an umpire
from the first game of a doubleheader, the player, manager, or coach shall be eligible
to return for the second game of a doubleheader, and in the case of a player, manager,
or coach removed by an umpire in a morning game, the player, manager, or coach shall
be eligible to compete in the afternoon game played on the same day. The same rule
applies where removal is from an afternoon game; such player, manager, or coach may
compete in the night game, if both games are played on the same date.
28
RULE 18 (Continued)
(c) Eligibility to Return to League. Players who leave the Atlantic League by having their
contracts purchased by another Club or league and have first obtained the release and and
permission of their Atlantic League Club, are not suspended players and therefore shall
be eligible to return to the Atlantic League, subject to the provisions of Rule 14 (Atlantic
League Rights – Protected Players). Eligibility to return to the League shall not be
affected by whether the purchase price for the player’s contract has been received by the
League.
(d) Players Ineligible to Return. Players who leave the Atlantic League w i t h o u t t h e
p r i o r p e r m i s s i o n of their Atlantic League Club for teams playing in foreign leagues
(Mexico, Italy, Korea, etc.) will be placed on the Ineligible List and treated as suspended
players and are ineligible to return to the Atlantic League during the Championship
Season in which they leave their Atlantic League Club.
RULE 19
OFFICIAL SCORER AND LEAGUE STATISTICS
SECTION 1: APPOINTMENT AND SALARY OF SCORER
The Executive Director shall appoint official scorers in each of the cities in the League to act as such at
all games on the home grounds. The compensation of the official scorers shall be set annually at the
Annual or Winter Meeting. Failure to act on this in a given year will result in the compensation in effect
the previous year being the compensation for the next season. Each Club shall nominate a candidate to
be its official scorer prior to the season. All candidates must be approved by the Executive Director.
SECTION 2: DUTY AND RECORD OF SCORER
It shall be the duty of the official scorer, under direction of the home Club, to prepare and forward to
the League statistician and League Executive Director a copy of the official report of each Championship
Game, immediately following each game. The report submission format shall be determined by the
system in place to officially record such information (e.g., Point Streak).
SECTION 3: CONDUCT TOWARD OFFICIAL SCORER
Official scorers are independent contractors who serve at the direction of the Atlantic League and as such
are representatives of the Executive Director.
(a) No Club front office or on-field employee, or members of the media, shall attempt to
intimidate scorers into changing calls. Under no circumstances shall official scorers be
influenced or pressured regarding their calls.
(b) Scorers shall not be interrupted while play is in progress. Scorers may be asked by the
Home Club Public Relations Director for an explanation of plays between innings.
(c) Scorers are not required to accept in-game or post-game telephone inquiries from the
bench or Clubhouse. Club personnel shall not facilitate scorer/field personnel discussions
without the consent of the scorer involved.
(d) Official scorers who wish to discuss plays or calls with o n - field personnel must work
through the H o m e Club Public Relations Director to arrange the conversation in the
clubhouse or by telephone.
29
RULE 19 (Continued)
(e) The following procedure shall be followed for the submission of comments or plays for
review by a Scorer: Any Club front office or on-field e m p lo y e e who wishes to voice
disagreement, displeasure, or pleasure with a scoring decision, an individual scorer, or the
scoring in a particular game or ballpark may do so via email to the Executive Director, with
a carbon copy (cc) to the Public Relations Director at the Home Club where the play
occurred. The Executive Director shall promptly review the circumstances of the
correspondence and shall respond to the correspondent and Public Relations Director.
All such complaints, or compliments, will be noted in the scorer's file and will help the League
monitor the caliber of scoring in League cities.
(f) Official scorers shall be treated with the respect and support due them as they perform a
difficult and valuable service to the League.
SECTION 4: DISMISSAL AND REPLACEMENT
The official scorer shall at all times be subject to the instructions and orders of the Executive Director,
and if he shall fail to discharge his duties or act in a manner disrespectful to the League, the Executive
Director shall have power to discharge the scorer, with the agreement of the Home Club. In case of
dismissal, the Executive Director shall appoint another official scorer to fill the vacancy.
SECTION 5: LEAGUE STATISTICS
The statistician or statistical service appointed by the League Executive Director shall keep a set of
books of averages in which all playing records of the League shall be posted and subject to the direction
of the Executive Director. The statistician shall provide supervision of all official scorers. He shall
furnish to the press and to each Club a statement of the playing records and averages of all players in
the League as soon as practical after the close of the season. Such statements shall contain in addition
to such data the statistician shall collect, the following information:
(a) The current standings of each Club;
(b) Individual batting (for each player), number of games, number of times at bat, runs, hits,
two base hits, three base hits, home runs, total bases, sacrifices, sacrifice flies, stolen
bases, times caught stealing, times struck out, number of bases on balls, times hit by
a pitch, number of runs batted in, number of game winning hits and percentage;
(c) Individual Fielding (for each player), number of games at each position, putouts,
assists, errors, percentage. Where the player is a catcher, also passed balls, stolen
bases allowed and players caught stealing;
(d) Pitching (for each pitcher), number of games, innings pitched, times of opponents at
bat, runs and earned runs allowed, hits allowed, strikeouts, wild pitches, bases on balls,
hit batsmen, balls, earned run average, games won, lost and tied, saves, finished
games, complete games, shutouts and percentage;
(e) Club Averages: The same as for individual players.
(f) Playoff Averages: Where a playoff is begun prior to the close of the season herein
provided, the official averages of the players competing in the playoff shall be included by
the statistician in the regular averages for the season, but where the playoff requires termination of the
schedule of the competing Clubs, the players averages shall not be included but shall be
kept in regular form as playoff statistics.
30
RULE 20
ADMISSION POLICY
SECTION 1: PRICES
The Home Club shall determine the admission c r i t e r i a , i n c l u d i n g t i c k e t p r i c e s , to all scheduled
Championship S e a s o n Games. These prices shall be set and recorded in the League Office prior to
the start of the season.
SECTION 2: ATTENDANCE CALCULATION
Attendance for all Championship Season Games shall be computed on the basis of total attendance,
which shall be the sum of:
(a) Total paid attendance in the ballpark
(b) Paid no shows
(c) Non-paid attendees
This figure must be reported to the League Office at the conclusion of each game. During the
Championship Season, each Club shall submit to the League statistician a report of their home
attendance for that date's games.
SECTION 3: PASSES
Members of the immediate family of visiting players are to be admitted free of charge if their names
are submitted to the Home Club management at least one (1) hour before game time or upon arrival
of the visiting team should it arrive late. The Home Club is obligated to provide a total of up to sixty
(60) tickets per game. If more than sixty (60) tickets are requested, it is the Home Club’s discretion to
provide additional tickets, which may include standing room only. Any further use of passes is at the
sole discretion of the Home Club except in the case of Atlantic League passes; Atlantic League passes
must be honored.
SECTION 4: ATLANTIC LEAGUE PASSES
The Executive Director of the League is empowered to issue, at his discretion, annual passes granting
recipients the courtesy of admission to all Atlantic League parks during the Championship Season. These
passes shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Club where such passes are presented. No
passes shall be issued in any city of the League without the consent and approval of the Home Club.
SECTION 5: RAIN CHECKS
Each admission ticket to Championship Season games of the League shall have attached thereto a rain
check. Such rain checks shall be exchangeable for admission to any succeeding game during the
season. Such rain checks shall be exchangeable for admission only in the event that four and one half
innings of the game shall not be played, and rain checks shall so indicate. Each Club shall have the right
to determine rules regarding use of rain checks at its home field.
31
RULE 21
MISCELLANEOUS RULES
SECTION 1: REPORTING SCORES
Immediately following the conclusion of each home game, the Home Club shall submit the final score
of the game and the total attendance for the game to the League Office. Rain outs must be reported
to the League Office.
SECTION 2: PLAYERS MEAL ALLOWANCE
In paying players meal money, each Club shall strictly adhere to the requirements established by the
Board of Directors.
SECTION 3: BATTING CHAMPIONSHIP ELIGIBILTY
In order to qualify for the batting championship of the Atlantic League, a player must make at least 378
plate appearances during the Regular Season.
SECTION 4: ERA CHAMPIONSHIP ELIGIBILTY
In order to qualify for the ERA championship of the Atlantic League, a pitcher must pitch a minimum of
112 innings during the Regular Season.
SECTION 5: PUBLIC ADDRESS
No public address or loud speaker system shall be used to make any commentaries about players, fans,
umpires, managers or directors, which subject any of the above to public ridicule. Playing music or making
announcements during play is prohibited. Live or recorded versions of “Three Blind Mice” is
prohibited and shall not be played.
SECTION 6: PEPPER GAMES
No pepper games, flying disc, football, or games other than official field action or baseball games shall be
permitted before stands that are not protected by screens.
SECTION 7: UNIFORM INFORMATION
All Clubs are required to number players’ uniforms with not-less-than-five-inch (5”) numerals on the back
of each uniform. Each Club shall email an up-to-date listing of its players and their uniform numbers the
day prior to appearing in a League city for use in the home scorecards. Each Club shall notify the
League immediately of every roster change. Failure to comply with these requirements shall subject the
Club to a fine to be determined by the Executive Director.
SECTION 8: FRATERNIZING BY PLAYERS
No player, after having entered the playing field for participation in a Championship Game, shall visit
or mingle with a player or players of the visiting team, at its bench or dugout.
32
RULE 21 (Continued)
SECTION 9: PUBLIC CONDUCT AND DRUG TESTING
(a) Any player, manager, coach, Club or League employee, umpire or official, improperly conducting
himself in public by intoxication, fighting, gambling, indecency or other disreputable or criminal
conduct, whether on or off the field, prejudicial to the good repute or welfare of professional baseball
or the League may be fined and/or suspended to declared ineligible, as the Executive Director of
the League or Board of Directors may deem proper.
(b) In the interests of competitive integrity and promoting wellness among its employees, the League
reserves the right to conduct uniform drug testing among on-field personnel, including players.
SECTION 10: CONTAINERS IN THE BALLPARK
In the interest of public safety, no cans, bottles, food or containers may be brought into Atlantic League
parks by fans for Championship Games.
SECTION 11: PROPER UNIFORMS - Post in Clubhouse
All players on the field must be in full and proper uniform (as provided in the Official Playing Rules)
commencing one (1) hour before the start of the game. Teams with special warm-up tops must receive
permission from the Executive Director before they may be used during a Championship Game. Failure
to be in proper uniform will result in a fine to any and all offending team personnel.
SECTION 12: APPEAL OF FINES
Fines levied by the Atlantic League may be appealed to the League President in the following manner: A
written notice of appeal, stating the reasons for the appeal, must accompany a check or money order for
the full amount of the fine. The appeal notice and the fine payment must be received in the League Office
prior to the date set forth in the notice of fine. Upon receipt, the appeal will be considered. If the appeal
is denied, written notice stating the reasons for the denial will be sent to the parties appealing the fine.
If the appeal is upheld, written notice of the decision and any applicable refund will be sent out. Failure
to comply with these procedures will automatically result in the appeal being denied.
SECTION 13: MECHANICAL DEVICES PROHIBITED
No mechanical devices that amplify sound or light (including lasers), may be brought by fans into Atlantic
League ballparks for any Championship Game.
SECTION 14: BAT BOY / BAT GIRL HELMET RULE
All batboys and batgirls must wear double earflap helmets while they are on the field or in the dugout.
33
APPENDIX A
PLAYOFF TIEBREAKER PROCEDURES
SECTION 1: PURPOSE
The objective of tiebreaker procedures is to determine a Division winner through on-field competition.
However, unforeseen, extraordinary circumstances such as, but not limited to weather, travel or
expense, may render playoff tiebreaker procedures impractical. Accordingly, any question concerning a
determination of a Division winner (first half, second half or overall) which deviates from the procedures
in Sections 2 – 5 below, whether through a playoff, postponed, tied, or called games shall be solely
decided by the Executive Director, following consultation with the clubs directly involved in the outcome
of his decision. The Executive Director’s decision shall be final and non-appealable. The Executive
Director is empowered to order any postponed games played at any date that he sees fit and
necessary, within reason.
SECTION 2: IN CASE OF A FIRST HALF TIE IN A DIVISION
It is preferred that all games in the season be played to conclusion, especially in the first half. If two or
more teams finish the first half tied for the best record in their Division, the following tiebreaker process will
take place:
(a) The head-to-head (or head-to-head-to-head) record determines the winner if one team
has an advantage over the other team (or other two teams); if a tie still exists, then;
(b) Of the tied teams, the team with the best overall Division record (winning percentage)
will be declared Division winner; if a tie still exists, then;
(c) The last place team in the Division will be eliminated and the team with the best record
(winning percentage) against the remaining teams will be declared the winner; if a tie
still exists, then;
(d) Of the tied teams, the team with the best overall winning percentage against all Clubs
outside the Division will be declared Division winner; if a tie still exists, then;
(e) The teams will compare game-by-game results within the Division, tracking backwards
from the final game of the first half of the season toward the start of the season,
provided that such additional game was not between the two or more tied Clubs. Of the
tied Clubs, the first team that has won a game while the other(s) has lost, shall be
declared Division winner. The comparison will continue to go backwards one intradivision game at a time until the tie has been broken.
SECTON 3: IN CASE A CLUB WINS BOTH SEASON HALVES IN ITS DIVISION
(a) In the event a Club wins both halves in their Division, their opponent for the Divisional
Playoffs (the “Wild Card Team”) shall be the Club, regardless of Division, among all Clubs
that have not otherwise qualified for the Divisional Playoffs, that has achieved the best overall
record for the entire Regular Season.
35
APPENDIX A (Continued)
(b) In the event of a tie between two (2) or more Clubs for the Wild Card Team, the order of
tie breakers is:
(i) Regular Season head-to-head records; then;
(ii) Head-to-head records in the second half, then;
(iii)
S eason winning percentages within the Clubs’ respective Division(s); then;
(iv)
Second half winning percentage against all teams regardless of Division, then;
(v) Season overall winning percentage against all Clubs, regardless of Division, then;
(vi)
The teams will compare their game-by-game results, regardless of Division,
tracking backwards from the final game of the Regular Season toward the start of
the season, including games between the two or more tied Clubs. Of the tied Clubs,
the team that has first won a game while the other(s) has lost, shall be declared the
Wild Card Team. The comparison will continue to go backwards one game at a time
until the tie has been broken.
SECTION 4: IN CASE OF A SECOND HALF TIE IN A DIVISION
(a) In the event that the first half winner ties with another Division Club for the second half
championship, the two teams will be declared second half co-champions and will meet in the
Division Playoffs;
(b) In the event that the first half winner ties with more than one Division Club for the
second half championship, all tied teams will be declared second half co-champions.
The first half winner will play in the Division Series against the other tied team that
is determined by the following tie breaker process:
(i) Head-to-head records in the second half, then;
(ii) Season head-to-head records, then;
(iii) Season winning percentages within the Clubs’ respective Division(s), then;
(iv) Season overall winning percentage against all Clubs, regardless of Division,
then;
(v) The teams will compare their game-by-game results, regardless of Division,
Division Champion. The comparison will continue to go backwards one game at a
time until the tie has been broken.
(c) In the event that the first half winner is not one of the teams tied for second half
winner, the following tie breaker process will determine the second half champion:
(i) Head-to-head records in the second half, then;
(ii) Season head-to-head records, then;
(iii) Season winning percentage within the Clubs’ respective Division(s), then;
(iv) Season overall winning percentage against all Clubs, regardless of Division,
then;
(v) The teams will compare their game-by-game results, regardless of Division,
Division Champion. The comparison will continue to go backwards one game at a
time until the tie has been broken.
36
APPENDIX A (Continued)
SECTION 5: DOUBLE WILD CARD TEAMS
In the event the same Clubs win both halves of their respective Divisions:
(a) If the two Designated Wild Card entrants (teams with next best overall record) are in
separate Divisions, they shall play the Division Champion in their respective Division
(regardless of record) in order to ensue each Division having a representative in the
Championship Series.
(b) If the two Designated Wild Cards are from the same Division, a seeding system shall
determine playoff opponents, based on each of the four team’s season win/loss
records. The team with the best season record (“Team One”) shall play the team with
the fourth best season record ”Team Four”) and the team with the second best season
record (“Team Two”) playing the team with the team with the third best season record
(“Team Three”). All ties of season records shall be determined by the tiebreaker
systems described above.
37
APPENDIX B
CLUBHOUSE MAN DUTIES
(a) Clean the entire Visiting Clubhouse on a daily basis (including bathroom area,
showers and dressing area); vacuum entire Clubhouse and empty all trash cans and
remove trash from the Clubhouse.
(b) Clean and polish one (1) pair of shoes per player, coach and manager per day.
(c) Provide adequate soap, shampoo, shaving cream, deodorant and toothpaste.
(d) Pregame: Provide the trainer with fifteen (15) towels daily for team and bench use.
(e) During game: Provide each player, coach and manager with a towel in lockers for his postgame shower.
(f) Provide a light snack for the visiting Club daily. The visiting manager shall decide
when the snack should be provided (before BP, after BP, post-game, etc.).
(g) Be generally available to the visiting team for errands during the game; coordinate and assist
with visiting team.
(h) With the exception of Rule 9, Section 1(b)(iv), alcoholic beverages shall not be a part of
postgame Clubhouse meals and alcoholic beverages in the Home or Visiting Clubhouse areas is
strictly prohibited. It is be the responsibility of the Home Team to enforce this policy.
38
APPENDIX C
PROTECTED PLAYER RULES
All players under 2015 Atlantic League Uniform Player
Contracts become Free
Agents following the conclusion of the 2014 Championship Season. However, the negotiating rights
to a player desiring to return to the League for the immediately following Championship
Season (“Atlantic League Rights”) may be retained by the last Atlantic League Club in the
prior year’s Championship Season to have the player under contract. The following is intended
to clarify the rules regarding negotiating and signing of returning players for the next
Championship Season. The days listed below may be adjusted by the Board of Directors
in future Championship Seasons to match the schedule and calendar as appropriate.
SECTION 1: PLAYERS ON ATLANTIC LEAGUE ROSTERS AT THE END OF A CHAMPIONSHIP
SEASON
(a) All Clubs shall provide the League Office with their lists of players who ended the
immediately preceding Championship Season on their rosters, and have indicated (1)
those players (not to exceed 40) with whom they would like to negotiate a Championship
Season contract (the “Protected List”), and (2) those players that the Club has no plans
to employ for the coming Championship Season (the “Released List”). Copies of the
Protected List and Released List shall be available to all Clubs.
(b) Players on the Released List are Atlantic League Free Agents and may be contacted
and signed by any Club. Players on the Protected List may only be contacted by the
protecting Club.
(c) It is expected that negotiations with players on the Protected List shall begin by the
first Sunday in March prior to the start of the Championship Season. Clubs shall advise
the League Office promptly when a Protected List player is signed, or if the Club longer
wishes to negotiate with a player. In fairness to players and other Clubs, a team shall
not continue to protect a player that it does not intend to bring back for the
Championship Season.
(d) All unsigned protected players shall become ALPB Free Agents at noon (Eastern) on
the first Monday in April following Major League Baseball’s Opening Day and are
therefore eligible to sign with any ALPB Club, subject to the following provision.
(e) Each Club shall be entitled to continue to protect up to three (3) players from its
Protected List after noon (Eastern) on the Friday of the first full week in April, through
noon (Eastern) on the first Friday in May, by extending a bona fide offer to each such
player at a salary not less than the player’s prior year salary, and sending a copy of
the o f f e r to the League Office not later than noon (Eastern) on the Friday of the first
full week in April.
Championship Season Atlantic League Rights to each such player shall remain with the
protecting Club and no other team may contact or sign such player before noon
(Eastern) on the first Friday in May without the permission of the protecting Club.
Protecting Clubs may trade their Atlantic League Rights to players during this period.
After noon (Eastern) on the first Friday in May, all such players are ALPB Free Agents.
(f) Clubs shall provide a copy of these rules to each player on their Protected List.
39
APPENDIX C (Continued)
SECTION 2: PRIOR YEAR CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON PLAYERS UNDER CONTRACT TO OTHERS
(a) Championship Season Atlantic League Rights to all prior year players who are currently
under contract to a team in another professional league will remain with their last prior
year Atlantic League team as described in this section.
(b) Should such a player be released by their non-ALPB club at any time after the first
Monday in April following Major League Baseball’s Opening Day the last Atlantic
League Club having the player on its prior year roster shall have a “Seven (7) Day
Exclusive Period” from the date of the player’s release to sign the player. No other
Atlantic League team may contact that player during the Seven (7) Day Exclusive
Period. At the conclusion of the Seven (7) Day Exclusive Period the player shall be an
Atlantic League Free Agent f o r t h e i m p e n d i n g C h a m p i o n s h i p S e a s o n if not signed
by the C l u b holding his Atlantic League rights. It is the responsibility of each ALPB
team to monitor release lists to determine the start date of the seven (7) day exclusive
period. The foregoing is referred to as the Seven Day Rule.
SECTION 3: PLAYERS SIGNED TO 2016 CONTRACTS
The Seven Day Rule also applies to any current Championship Season ALPB player whose contract is
purchased by a club in another professional league during the period following Major League Baseball’s
Opening Day and through the conclusion of the ALBP Championship Season and who is then released
by the other league. During the seven (7) day period following his release, only the Club from which the
player contract was sold may contact him. After the seven (7) day period following his release, the
player becomes an Atlantic League Free Agent.
SECTION 4: PLAYERS FROM SEASONS PRIOR TO THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SEASON
Players employed by an Atlantic League Club in any seasons other than the one immediately prior to a
Championship Season that start the Championship Season in another professional league and who did
not play in the Atlantic League in immediately prior season for any reason and are released by a team
from another professional league, are Atlantic League Free Agents (e.g., a player who played in the
Atlantic League in 2014, but played in another league in 2015 (or, in any event did not play in ALPB in
2015), who is released by a club in another league, is an Atlantic League Free Agent for the 2106
Atlantic League Championship Season).
40
APPENDIX D
ATLANTIC LEAGUE HOTEL POLICY
(a) The home team pays for 18 rooms for visiting teams. Rooms above and beyond that
amount are the responsibility of the visiting Club at the home team rate. Each Atlantic
League team will recommend a hotel (or hotels) in its city for the upcoming season.
(b) The Atlantic League Executive Director will certify that the hotel recommended meet
League standards for physical condition and location
(c) The Atlantic League Executive Director shall also review any recommendation of a
hotel for which the nightly rate of the room exceeds $100
(d) The Atlantic League Executive Director may reject any hotel recommendation that
fails to meet League standards or that is unreasonably priced.
(e) Atlantic League teams agree to stay in the hotel recommended by home teams and
approved by the League Executive Director.
(f) Any problems arising between any Atlantic League C l u b and any of the
recommended hotels shall be brought promptly to the attention to the League
Executive Director, who shall review the matter and take such action as he deems in
the best interest of the League.
(g) The dates for identifying hotels and payment requirements are as follows:
(i) Hotel Designation - January 1
(ii) Payment of Bills - Prior to next visit or within sixty (60) days of team’s stay, whichever
occurs first
41
ATLANTIC LEAGUE STRIKE ZONE
Rule2.0StrikeZone–OfficialBaseballRules
42

the atlantic league of professional baseball clubs, inc. rules and

Transcription

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